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Construction continues on the new aircraft carrier Le Terrible at La Rochelle. No official pronouncements are given about the ship's specifications. An unofficial model 3m long is displayed at the French Navy Museum in Toulon, showing a ship with enclosed hurricane bows (as on the previous three carrier classes), three catapults, and a starboard-side island with an angled funnel. An order for a second ship, rumored to be named Le Tonnant, is confirmed with DCNS. Steam catapults developed by Russia (developed for the Reval class) are purchased for the aircraft carrier Foudroyant.

The next two Indochinese destroyers, Tran Binh Trong and Tran Quang Khai, are laid down, as well as two new light cruisers.

A major program to increase the quantity of fleet auxiliaries is underway.

Four medium and four light minesweepers, the first ships of a twenty-four vessel order, are laid down.

Marine Nationale Order of Battle, January 1st, 1948
The Marine Nationale is divided into three major and one minor fleet organizations based on geography: the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific Fleets, and the Indian Ocean Flotilla. Due to differing mission priorities as well as effective command and control, the Pacific Fleet is subdivided into East and West, each incorporating a defined overall operations area, although both exist under the same overall command. The Mediterranean Fleet possesses the bulk of the French Navy's surface forces, which can be assigned to the Force d'Action Naval (Naval Action Force).

Force de Action Naval: Toulon, France, Europe
The Force de Action Naval is a command that is organizationally subordinate to the Mediterranean Fleet, but is tasked with orchestrating any major French strategic response to a war. It can be assigned forces from any of the geographical commands.

Q1/1948 Notable Ship Movements of the Marine Nationale
A general overview of the major exercises and operations being undertaken during Q1/1948 by the Marine Nationale. This list is representative and not exhaustive.

Flotte de la Méditerranée
-- Exercise Harmattan 48: The Forces Légères d'Attaque under M. St-Hilaire exercises in the central and western Mediterranean, operating as far west as Tangier (port call) and as far east as Malta.
-- Destroyers Maillé-Brézé and de Sercey make port calls to Chania (Crete), Rodos (Rhodes), and Bodrum (Turkey). Still at sea March 31st; expected to return to Toulon by April 10th.

Forces Navales d'Extrême Orient
-- Exercise Ganymède-I and II 48: Major antisubmarine exercises held in January and March by the FNEO and Indochinoise Patrouille Navale.
-- Operation Langogne: Heavy cruiser Saint Louis is engaged in shadowing the movements of Chinese Task Force South, supported by tanker Cap Ferrat.

Other
-- Oceanic research ship Le Suroit conducting hydrographic surveys east of Sfax and south of Lampedusa.
-- Support ship Ingénieur Elie Monnier and research submarine CNRS-1 conducting research in the Ionian Sea.